ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday stated that 30 brands of bottled water were unsafe for human consumption due to microbiological or chemical contamination.

The government has mandated quarterly monitoring of bottled and mineral water brands by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) to enhance public health awareness.

During the third quarter of 2024 (July to September), PCRWR collected 205 samples from 21 cities to assess compliance with the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) bottled water standards.

The analysis found that 12 brands, including Natural Pure Life, Bro H2O, Purifa Spring Water and Aqua Health, contained sodium levels above the permissible limit, making them hazardous.

Additionally, Black Seed Water and Natural exhibited turbidity levels beyond safety thresholds while Black Seed Water was also found to have an unsafe pH level.

As many as brands, including D Nova Pure Drinking Water, Afra and Aqua Slim were contaminated with bacteria.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2024